Plot Summary: We meet James Sheppard a year and a half before his college graduation. He is well on his way to getting himself ready for a career in journalism, even with minimal encouragement from his stepmother and only physical and emotional abuse from his father.
On the personal front, James was still hung up on his friend Lori, even while dating party girl Sherry. After a rejection from Sherry, Lori is the one who arranges for James to get to know Maria during a college swim meet. Despite Maria's sheltered upbringing and James' tough-guy image, the two begin a relationship that will change James' life.
We follow James through graduation and into his first few years out of school. Along the way, James deals with his relationships with his father, and stepmother his professional goals, and the challenges and responsibilities of adulthood.
My Reaction: I've been reading lots of romance novels lately, which threw off my initial response to this book. There is a boy-meets-girl plot here between James and Maria, but to me this book is more a bigger story of James learning to deal with the abuse in his past and growing into an adult with healthy relationships.
This is book 3 in the Circle of Friends series and there were characters in this book who had been the focus of the first two books, like Lori. It was still easy for me to get involved in the story, though, with just the minimal background on these characters provided in this book.
Diane's website identifies her as a Christian, but this was not a preachy young adult book. Instead, this was a story that focused on encouragement and overcoming obstacles. As a heads up - this story did involve some premarital sex, but not in a glamorous soap-opera way.
Bottom Line: This was a good coming-of-age story focused on a college student overcoming the abuse in his past and building a new life for himself.
Author Interview: As part of her online book tour, Diane is here with answers to some interview questions!
Question 1: You've written several books for young adults in this Circle of Friends series. How did the series get started? Do you have more books planned in this same series?
Believe it or not, a dream inspired the series! It was just a wisp of a dream, but I clearly saw the main two characters in high school and envisioned Lori as a swimmer. I quickly outlined the first book, and halfway through its creation, I began outlining four more books. So yes, there’s still a Book IV and V!
Question 2: You've said that the series is based around "sports-minded couples." Other than your personal enjoyment of sports, was there a reason to have sports be a key unifying factor in these stories?
How did you know I was a sports enthusiast?!
Sports are very unifying in nature. They also require a great deal of hard work, determination, and sacrifice. I wanted those characteristics portrayed in my books. I think all young people should get involved in a sport, whether team or individual. (I was a long distance runner in high school.) It’s certainly one of the better extracurricular activities.
Question 3: Has your work with foster kids been an inspiration for your stories, especially a story like James' story that deals with abuse?
Most definitely! Book III wouldn’t have been possible without the foster parent training and experience.
My husband and I do not have children of our own, so it also provided an opportunity to connect with teens. And while some things have changed since I was a teenager, young people still crave the same things – acceptance, approval, affirmation, and love. Those needs really formed the basis for Book III, as abuse left James craving those things even more.
Question 4: Your books have been described as "encouragement personified." What is the main encouragement that you hope people will take away from James' story?
That the past does not equal the future, no matter what struggles they’ve endured. Circumstances do not control our fate – we do!
Question 5: It seems that this book was as much, or more, a story about James' relationship with his father than James' relationship with Maria. Do you think it was key for James to figure out that relationship before he could have peace in his other relationships?
Yes! In order to love others, we must first love ourselves.
Because of the unrest and strife between James and his father, he simply did not have the peace required to truly care about himself. His self-esteem was too far in the negative. Maria filled some of the void, but it wasn’t until James realized that his father really did love him and that their problems were not James’ fault that he was able to achieve that peace.
Question 6: What was the most challenging thing about writing James' story?
It was tough to keep James’ pain from overwhelming me some days. He is my most angsty character, and a few of the issues touched close to home. I also wanted to avoid a really dark tale. There are many books that really delve into abuse, but I did not want to write a book that was heavy, graphic or violent.
Question 7: You've lived in various places across the US. Has that influenced your writing or the locations where you set your stories?
I live in the South, so it was natural to set most of the story in that part of the USA. (The University of Florida is also one of the top colleges in swimming, so that influenced the setting for Book I.)
However, I have visited almost every location listed in my series – Gainesville, Greenville, Orlando, Denver, etc. Albuquerque, NM is the setting for Book IV, and that’s the one place I have indeed lived.
I also feel that those who venture from their hometowns and explore the world gain greater experience and knowledge than those who never leave. It just gives one a whole new perspective on life.
Question 8: How would you describe your writing process? (i.e. do you write when inspiration strikes, or on a particular schedule? do you outline basic plot points in advance, or write as it comes to you? etc.)
I’m a sporadic writer, although I will set aside large blocks of time to write. I tend to write in spurts of 15-20 minutes several times a day.
And I am a big proponent of outlines! I outline every story before I begin to write. This series also overlaps while moving forward in time, so a master outline was my only hope for maintaining continuity.
Question 9: How do you feel that your positive attitude and spunk have helped you in your writing career?
It’s helped me move forward on days when I feel discouraged. Oh wait, I think the stubborn redhead in me had something to do with that!
Seriously, being an author is like riding a roller coaster. So many ups and downs! My never-ending optimism keeps me from ‘wallering’ in the lows and helps maintain a balance.
That’s why I am Spunk On A Stick!
Question 10: What else would you like us to know about your writing or your motivational speaking?
I love doing speaking engagements! I even compiled two of my topics into a book called
Overcoming Obstacles with SPUNK!Well, I didn’t realize what I’d done until all five of my YA books were complete, but the Five Keys of success in my non-fiction were represented in my series as well. Each book’s storyline centers on one of those Keys. Guess I really am optimistic all the time!
The Circle of Friends was written to inspire as well as entertain and it’s my hope readers will come away believing in themselves and their dreams.
Gotta love another spunky redhead! You can check out more information about Diane's motivational speaking and non-fiction at
Spunk on a Stick. You can also find out more information about her young adult series at
The Circle of Friends.
Here are some of the other book bloggers in her book tour:
There are also reviews at:
For my Texas friends, what are you doing September 21 - 26? Headed out to Abilene, TX for the West Texas Book and Music Festival to support local Texas authors and musicians?
